See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Gorham, ME (2026)
Gorham is a growing town in Cumberland County just west of Portland, home to the University of Southern Maine and a median home price around $506,000. While Gorham does not currently offer a town-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several strong state and nonprofit options. The MaineHousing Advantage grant provides $5,000 toward closing costs, and the MaineHousing First Generation Program offers $10,000 plus a below-market interest rate for first-generation homebuyers. Avesta Housing operates a community land trust program in the Greater Portland area offering below-market home prices, and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland builds affordable homes for qualifying families in surrounding communities including Gorham. By combining state programs like the MaineHousing Advantage with nonprofit resources, eligible buyers in Gorham can stack $15,000 or more in total assistance.
State Programs in Maine
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MaineHousing Advantage | Grant | $5,000 | Yes | View → |
| MaineHousing First Generation Program | Grant | $10,000 grant plus 1% below-market interest rate | Yes | View → |
| MaineHousing First Home Loan Program | Deferred Loan | Low fixed-rate 30-year mortgage with little or no down payment | Yes | View → |
| MaineHousing Salute ME | Deferred Loan | 0.50% interest rate discount on MaineHousing First Home Loan rate | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $10,000 grant plus 1% below-market interest rate
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Low fixed-rate 30-year mortgage with little or no down payment
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- 0.50% interest rate discount on MaineHousing First Home Loan rate
- First-time only:
- No
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avesta Housing A Path Forward Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market home purchase price through community land trust model | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland Homeownership Program | Deferred Loan | Affordable mortgage to purchase a Habitat-built home | Yes | View → |
| Katahdin Trust Equity Builder Program | Grant | Up to $25,000 in grant funds for down payment, closing costs, and interest rate reduction | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market home purchase price through community land trust model
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage to purchase a Habitat-built home
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000 in grant funds for down payment, closing costs, and interest rate reduction
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below MaineHousing's limits, which vary by household size and county. Cumberland County limits tend to be higher than the state average. A minimum credit score of 640 is required for MaineHousing programs.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Take a hoMEworks-approved eight-hour homebuyer education course. Avesta Housing offers classes in the Greater Portland area and can be reached at 207-553-7777. Completing the course is required for the $5,000 MaineHousing Advantage grant.
Step 3: Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor. Avesta Housing's HomeOwnership Center at 307 Cumberland Avenue in Portland offers free credit and budget counseling. Call 207-553-7777 to schedule an appointment.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a MaineHousing-approved lender to apply for a First Home Loan. Gorham Savings Bank is a local option and can be reached at 207-839-4796. Ask about combining the Advantage grant and First Generation Program if eligible.
Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. MaineHousing sets purchase price limits that vary by county. Your lender can confirm the current limit for Cumberland County.
Step 6: Submit your application. Your lender will process the MaineHousing loan and grant applications together. Plan for 30 to 60 days from pre-approval to closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Gorham?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there affordable homeownership programs in the Gorham area?+−
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